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“An intruder on the borders, Lord Aldaran, maybe a spy from the Domains.”
“Why, he’s just a boy,” the old man said. “Come here, child.” The guards thrust Regis forward, and the old eyes focused, hawk-keen, on him. Then he smiled, an odd amused smile.
“Humph! No need to ask your name! If ever a man wore his lineage on his face! You might be Rafael’s son. I thought his heir was still in the schoolroom, though. Which one are you, then, some nedestro or old Danvan’s bastard, maybe?”
Regis lifted his chin. “I am Regis-Rafael Hastur of Hastur!”
“Then in hell’s name,” said the old man testily, “what were you doing sneaking around the borders alone? Where is your escort? The heir of Hastur should have ridden up to the front gates, properly escorted, and asked to see me. I’ve never refused a welcome to anyone who comes here in peace! Do you think this is still a bandit fortress?”
Regis felt stung, all the more because he knew the old man was right. “My Lord, I felt there might be warfare of which I had been told nothing. If there is peace between us, what have you done with my sworn man?”
“I, young Hastur? I know of no man of yours. Who?”
“My paxman and my friend, Danilo Syrtis. He was taken by armed men, in the hills near his home, men bearing your ensign, my lord.”
Aldaran’s face narrowed in a frown. He glanced at the tall thin man in Terran clothing who stood near the head of the bed. He said, “Bob, do you know anything at all about this matter? You usually know what Beltran’s up to. What’s be been doing while I’ve been lying here sick?”
The man raised his head and looked at Regis. He said, “Danilo Syrtis is here and unharmed, young Hastur. Beltran’s men only exceeded their orders; they were told to invite him here with all courtesy. And we were told he had no reason to love the Comyn; how should we know he was your sworn man?” Regis felt unspoken contempt, And why should -we give a damn? But Kadarin’s words were rigidly polite. “He is unharmed, an honored guest.”
“I’ll have a word with Beltran,” Kermiac of Aldaran said. “This isn’t the first time his enthusiasm has carried him away. I’m sorry, young Hastur, I didn’t know we had anyone of yours here. Kadarin, take him to his friend.”
So it was as simple as that? Regis felt vague disquiet. Kadarin said, “There’s no need for such haste. Lew Alton talked to the Syrtis boy for hours last night, I’m sure he knows now that he’s not a prisoner. Lord Regis, would you like to speak with your kinsman?”
“Is Lew still here? Yes, I would like to see him.”
Kermiac looked at Regis’ travel-stained garments. He said, “But this is a long journey alone for a boy. You are exhausted. Let us take you to a guest chamber, offer you some refreshment—a meal, a bath—”
Both of them sounded almost unendurably attractive, but Regis shook his head. “Truly, I need nothing now. I am deeply concerned about my friend.”
“As you wish, then, lad.” He held out a withered old hand, seeming to have trouble moving as he wished. “Damned if I’m going to call a boy your age lord anything! That’s half what’s wrong with our world!”
Regis bent over it as he would have done over his grandfather’s. “If I have misjudged you, Lord Aldaran, I implore your pardon. Let anxiety for my paxman be my excuse.”
“Humph,” Aldaran said again, “it seems to me that we of Aldaran owe you some apology as well, my boy. Bob, send Beltran to me—at once!”
“Uncle, he is very much occupied with—”
“I don’t give a damn what he’s occupied with, bring him! And fast!” He released Regis’ hand, saying, “I’ll see you again soon, lad. You are my guest, remain here in peace, be welcome.”
Dismissed and ushered out of Aldaran’s presence, Kadarin striding through the halls at his side, Regis felt more confused than ever. What was going on here? What had Lew Alton to do with this? It was warm in the hallway and he wished he had taken off his riding-cloak; he felt suddenly very tired and hungry. He had not had a hot meal, or slept in a bed, for more days than he could reckon, and during his sickness he had completely lost count.